German-American International School has to leave the former O’Connor School campus it has occupied for more than 20 years by a June 30, 2014, deadline.

Although parents and teachers from the private school pleaded for more time to find another site, the Menlo Park City School District board Tuesday night decided to stick with that date.

But the board directed district staff to investigate options that would allow German-American International School some continued use of the campus during the 2014-2015 school year. Staff is expected to report its findings at the board’s May 13 meeting.

District officials say they need to open up a fourth elementary school because student enrollment is projected to increase by more than 400 in the next decade.

Tom Siegel, president of German-American’s board of directors, said while he was “obviously disappointed” by the district’s decision, he was encouraged by statements suggesting an extension may be feasible. Finding another site by July 2014 might not be possible, Siegel said.

“There is a good chance that we’ll have to close doors,” Siegel said. “The longer we have to wait and have uncertainty, the more we’re going to lose momentum in being able to serve the viability of our school in the long run.”

Otto Warmbier was arrested in January 2016 at the end of a brief tourist visit to North Korea. He had been medically evacuated and was being treated at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center when he died at age 22.